Lali casts vote against HST

On Tuesday Fraser-Nicola MLA cast his vote in favour of extinguishing the HST.

Jade Swartzberg/Herald

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Harry Lali has marked his X on the HST ballot, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise how he voted.

On Tuesday the NDP MLA for the Fraser-Nicola region invited local media to his office, to watch as he marked “Yes” to extinguishing the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) and reinstating the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) in conjunction with the GST (Goods and Services Tax). After his public vote, complete with a play-by-play for the benefit of radio, Lali sealed the ballot in the secrecy envelope and placed it in the mail.

“I am voting absolutely yes,” said the outspoken opponent to the HST.

Lali explained that his decision to vote to extinguish the tax was simple describing it as a bad tax that has been a job killer and forced individuals to pick up and subsidize large corporations in the province. Further, he said the tax was brought in based on a lie from the Liberal government.

“That $1.6 billion carrot from the government looked good,” he said. “There is ample evidence that they were already in negotiations and that during the election they lied to voters.”

The government, he said, saw the tax as a way to fill their budgetary needs, adding that the lies have extended to the manner of conducting the referendum.

“They said they were going to have an election-style referendum — they lied about that as well,” said Lali. “Now I have to figure out which envelope to put this in.”

Though the Liberals are reminding voters that extinguishing the tax would mean paying back the $1.6 billion to the federal government, Lali said budget projections suggest a surplus not a deficit.

“The fact is, the Liberals got themselves into this mess and people ought not to have a gun put to their head when they’re deciding which way to vote,” he said.

Voters who have not yet received their HST Referendum Voting Package in the mail have until tomorrow (Friday, July 22) to call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 and request it. Elections BC must receive a completed ballot by Aug. 5 for the vote to be counted.